1:9 Crocker Hemi-Head 1936 "Small Tank" Full Detail Multi Media Kit

1:9 Crocker Hemi-Head 1936 "Small Tank" Full Detail Multi Media Kit

• a full detailed, multi-material kit featuring white metal, etching, metal turned parts, rubber tires, and decals allowing for maximum representation of the original vehicle.
• moveable bike chain built from a combination of etching and metal parts.
• a combination of stainless spokes, stainless pipes and metal rim used for wheels for a realistic representation.

In the motorcycle world, certain machines have a mystique surrounding the mere mention of their name. In Europe, the Brough Superior conjures up the images of a long sleek black motorcycle with a beautiful chromed petrol tank, and a gorgeous J.A.P. V-twin engine nestled in the frame while twin exhausts run along the side of the bike. In the United States, one mention of the Crocker and one thinks of a motorcycle street fighter. The pugilistic nature of the Crocker is well founded as America's original superbike. Regretfully there were less than 75 Crockers ever made, making them one of the most highly regarded and sought after motorcycles made in this country. They are considered the Holy Grail of American motorcycles.

Albert Crocker, formerly worked at both Aurora Automatic Machinery Company designing Thor motorcycles and then later for Indian in their engineering department. Moving out to California in the late 1920's, Crocker owned a business catering to Indian, manufacturing parts for the factory. Teaming up with Paul Bigsby, he began work on a high performance V-twin motorcycle in 1935 and produced his first prototype the following year. One used to hear rumors that he especially wanted to embarrass any Harley rider cocky enough to challenge his Crocker. The Crocker used a cradle frame that incorporated transmission side plates into the frame, with a girder fork while the 45° V-twin engine was over-built to provide performance protection, while also allowing for numerous upgrades. The Crocker was the original Bobber in California, long before the Bobber craze hit the riders following the end of World War II.

Early Crockers featured hemispherical combustion heads and a nearly square bore and stroke ratio, contrary to most American motorcycles of the time. The engine could produce 60 horsepower and attain speeds of 110 mph. The gearbox was made bullet proof in cast steel and was secured into the frame via the attached side plates. It has been said they were designed to withstand the force from a 200 horsepower motor. Crockers were essentially hand built motorcycles, built to order for the customer. Financially they were a losing proposition on each machine. When World War II started, motorcycle production was necessarily shut down, never to start up again.